Today (11/21/13) is the Statewide Medical and Health Exercise that will focus on the coordination of surveillance activities and health system capabilities anticipated when managing a medical surge among community healthcare partners. Key goals include communication and information sharing, resource requesting, surge response, and utilizing the Incident Command System across all levels of the medical health system in the state.

The scenario is based on a food-borne event and incudes hospitals, clinics, long-term care, health departments, law enforcement, and state and local response agencies and partners.

The project is sponsored by the California Department of Public Health, Emergency Preparedness Office, and the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), in collaboration with a statewide planning committee of local health departments, local hospital preparedness program (HPP) entities, California Hospital Association, local EMS agencies and health care provider organizations. 

In addition to the statewide functional exercise, organizational and community gap analyses and tabletop exercises were conducted earlier in the year. All local health departments and HPP entities are encouraged to invite their local response partners to participate in these events.

Please contact Cheri Hummel with any questions.